About Tavoron
Built Over Decades. Unified for What's Next.
Tavoron didn’t start in a boardroom. It grew from the production floors, compressor rooms, and engineering offices of manufacturers across North America — from a company called John Henry Foster that understood early on that manufacturers needed more than a parts supplier. They needed a partner. That conviction has driven every acquisition, every expansion, and every capability added to the Tavoron portfolio over the decades. Today, 15 divisions and approximately 400 team members later, the conviction is the same. The scale is different.
From John Henry Foster to Tavoron
Drag, swipe, or use the arrows to travel through more than a century of compressed air and automation history, from an Airstream trailer to a North American group of companies headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota.
The Beginning
Mr. John Henry Foster began his career selling pneumatic equipment out of an Airstream trailer, a humble start that laid the foundation for what would become JHFOSTER.
Becoming a Distributor
John Henry Foster opened an office in South Minneapolis, MN, becoming an official pneumatic equipment distributor.
Expanding into Missouri
The business expanded into Missouri while operations in Minnesota were entrusted to Ed Mayhew, creating two separate entities and broadening the company's regional footprint.
Strengthening Partnerships
The company built strong relationships across both the supply and demand sides of compressed air systems, solidifying its reputation as a trusted distributor.
Taking Service on the Road
JHFOSTER purchased its first service truck, extending its reach and bringing hands-on support directly to customers.
A Permanent Home
Ed Mayhew became the sole owner of John Henry Foster Minnesota, acquired the Eagan facility, and began construction on a permanent headquarters.
Two Independent Companies
In 1983, the Minnesota and St. Louis businesses became fully independent companies. JHFOSTER, today a Tavoron company headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, is not affiliated with John Henry Foster (JHF) of St. Louis, Missouri.
New Leadership
John Hawkins acquired the company and expanded the team of sales representatives and service technicians. Under his leadership, JHFOSTER introduced 24/7 customer support.
Automation & Growth
JHFOSTER introduced PLCs for pneumatic systems, bringing smart automation to customers. The company grew into one of the largest compressed air and vacuum distributors in the Midwest.
Rebranding & Robotics
The company was officially rebranded and trademarked as JHFOSTER. High Road Capital Partners acquired the business and introduced a robotics segment, marking the company's entry into advanced automation.
Motion Tech Automation
JHFOSTER acquired Motion Tech Automation, strengthening its capabilities in motion control and electromechanical automation.
Expanding Sensing & Integration
JHFOSTER acquired Sensors Incorporated and Sensors Integration, expanding its sensing and integration capabilities.
Rapid Growth & Four Acquisitions
A landmark year of expansion: JHFOSTER expanded into Canada and completed four acquisitions: Automation & Robotics Solutions, Celco Automation, Accu Tech USA, and PTS Products, broadening its capabilities and market reach.
DevLinks Acquisition
JHFOSTER acquired DevLinks LTD, further expanding its sensing and integration capabilities.
Tavoron Is Born
JHFOSTER acquired HTE Technologies and launched Tavoron as the new corporate umbrella uniting all JHFOSTER companies under one identity.
Fusion Capital
Tavoron was acquired by Fusion Capital Partners, opening a new chapter of investment and strategic growth. AIM Companies joined Tavoron, expanding the company's geographic reach.
Accelerated Growth
Tavoron acquired Seltrol, B.W. Clark, DP Technologies Group & DP Brown of Saginaw, Doig Corporation, Fluidraulics, and Power Motion, signaling a new era of expansion.
What Tavoron Stands For
Local Expertise, Enterprise Depth
Engineering Before Everything
Full Lifecycle Commitment
See How Tavoron Can Support Your Operation
Leadership Team
Tavoron’s leadership team brings together decades of experience in industrial automation, compressed air, system integration, and distribution — across the corporate organization and across tour divisions that deliver our capabilities every day. The people who lead Tavoron have done the work, understand the industry, and are accountable for delivering on the promises we make to our customers.
Meet the Tavoron Divisions
Accu Tech USA
Accu Tech USA offers a wide range of innovative and customizable automation products — actuators, ball screws, cobots, and linear guides — with engineering expertise and an in-house machine shop that supports customers through every step of the automation process. Personalized service. Engineering-led partnership.
AIM Companies provides efficient and customizable compressed air and gas solutions — compressors, blowers, controls, dryers, filters, pumps, and nitrogen systems — with a full range of acquisition options including equipment sales, leasing, rentals, and Equipment as a Service. Reliable products, expert service, and tailored support for optimized long-term performance.
A&RS is a full-service system integrator, delivering turnkey automation projects from start to finish — including design, custom fabrication, specialized machine assembly, control system development and programming, equipment testing, and on-site installation. Comprehensive, innovative automation solutions built to perform.
B.W. Clark provides industrial automation products and technical support focused on motion control, sensing, and process automation. Serving manufacturers across a wide range of industries, the team helps customers apply the right technology to real production challenges — with the responsive service and practical solutions that keep manufacturing operations reliable and efficient.
Celco delivers customized, innovative, and networked automation systems that make customers more efficient and competitive. From intelligent design and panel manufacturing through programming, instrumentation, integration, and ongoing support, Celco provides full-service automation — and manufacturers rely on them to fundamentally change the way they do business.
DevLinks is a robotics and automation solutions integrator with extensive experience in the plastics industry and a strong reputation for end-to-end project management. With capabilities including mechanical and controls engineering, robot programming, diagnostics and support, and installation, DevLinks is the comprehensive automation partner customers trust for complex, precision-critical projects.
Doig Corporation is a trusted distributor of factory and industrial automation products serving manufacturers across the Upper Midwest. The team supports OEMs and end users with technologies spanning motion control, robotics, sensors and vision, safety, electrical control, and pneumatics — backed by experienced sales engineers and a practical, solutions-driven approach that keeps production moving.
DP Technologies Group and DP Brown of Saginaw provide industrial automation and motion control solutions supporting manufacturers throughout the Midwest. The team specializes in electrical and mechanical motion control products, custom control panels, drives, motors, sensors, and automation systems — with strong engineering support and hands-on service to help customers design, build, and maintain automation solutions.
Fluidraulics is an automation components and systems distributor specializing in pneumatic automation — air cylinders, actuators, grippers, valves, fittings, sensors, and FRLs — complemented by the hands-on application support customers rely on to select and deploy the right solutions. Serving medical and industrial customers across the Pittsburgh and Cleveland areas since 1967. Quality products, competitive pricing, and the responsive, knowledgeable service that has defined Fluidraulics for more than 55 years.
HTE Technologies
HTE Technologies is a leading Midwest expert in factory automation, traditional and collaborative robotics, machine vision, compressed air systems, and its unmatched rental compressor resources. HTE’s experienced engineering, programming, fabrication, sales, service, and rental resource teams are all backed by large local inventories of products from industry-leading equipment manufacturers.
JHFOSTER is a leading distributor of automation components, compressed air systems, industrial robots, and motion control technology serving the Upper Midwest. For more than eight decades, JHFOSTER has partnered with top-tier industry suppliers to provide the most current and capable technology available — keeping customers ahead of the competition and their production floors running.
Power Motion is a full-service industrial automation solutions provider and systems integrator serving manufacturers and industrial operations across the Midwest and South Central United States. Specializing in factory automation, robotics, machine vision, motion and servo control, PLCs, safety systems, and pick-to-light solutions, the team combines product distribution with in-house engineering, programming, control panel fabrication, technical training, and on-site service. With offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Little Rock, Power Motion brings more than 180 years of combined team experience and a trusted reputation for responsive, technically driven support to every customer relationship.
PTS Products operates a UL 508A certified panel shop with full capabilities for building, customizing, and assembling electrical panels from drawings and schematics — including automated wire cutting, stripping, and crimping. Commitment to quality, precision, and on-time delivery defines every panel that leaves their facility.
Seltrol is an industrial automation distributor supporting manufacturers with controls, motion, sensing, and networking solutions. The team works closely with customers to help design, select, and support automation systems that improve uptime, efficiency, and performance — with technical expertise and a hands-on approach that keeps operations running smoothly.
Sensors Incorporated supports industrial sensing applications with machine vision, process control and monitoring, barcode scanning, and safety technology. Extensive product knowledge, multi-industry experience, and the ability to deliver products significantly faster than the competition make Sensors Incorporated a trusted partner for precision sensing applications.
Sensors Integration specializes in control reliable package inspection systems — barcode verification, vision inspection, optical character recognition for lot and date codes, package integrity, and product verification. With a team of mechanical, electrical, design, and computer engineers, Sensors Integration delivers innovative solutions for any inspection application their customers face.